Palm Sunday, 05 April 2020
Hosanna ! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord !
…SEE, YOUR KING COMES TO YOU, RIGHTEOUS AND HAVING SALVATION, GENTLE AND RIDING ON A DONKEY…
(Zechariah 9 : 9)
…THE GREAT CROWD THAT HAD COME FOR THE FEAST HEARD THAT JESUS WAS ON HIS WAY TO JERUSALEM. THEY TOOK PALM BRANCHES AND WENT OUT TO MEET HIM, SHOUTING : HOSANNA ! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD ! (John 12 : 12 – 13)
On the week before His death, burial and resurrection, Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey as a symbol of being the Prince of Peace. A large crowd was gathering in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast, sacrificing lambs at the Temple as a remembrance of their deliverance from the Egyptian slavery long ago, and believing in the coming of the Messiah,- God’s Anointed Saviour – of which the prophets had spoken. With anticipation and hope they welcomed Jesus as their Messiah and King. Hosanna !- they shouted – a prayer formula which means HELP-US-NOW . Then… within days…they rejected Him and sentenced Him to crucifixion on a cross. They had a strong concept already fixed in their minds as to what was expected of the Messiah and how he would rule – and Jesus didn’t fit into it. They were in a … SPIRITUAL LOCKDOWN.
All these people and situations are classic examples of FAILED BELIEF SYSTEMS. There are many who have had wonderful glimpses of the truth regarding Jesus and His Kingdom, but because of false conceptions and preconceived ideas, their belief became distorted or even destroyed.
Palm Sunday 2020 brings us a renewed chance to turn to CHRIST with FAITHFUL DESPAIR as we shout the familiar HOSANNA/ HELP-US-NOW.
CORONAVIRUS helps us to realise HOW REALISTIC THE INVISIBLE IS . OUR GOD, whom nobody has ever seen, is the ALMIGHTY CREATOR, SUSTAINER and SAVIOUR of All. As Lord of lords and King of kings He RULES OVER ALL IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH ! He is, and will be always, in control of all happenings and revealing Himself to us in Jesus Christ.
A number of years ago a story appeared which told of an Alaskan man who found a beautiful rock in a stream and used it as a doorstop in his cabin. Years later a geologist visited him and noticed the doorstop, recognizing that it was in fact the largest lump of gold ever found.
As with the man who failed to recognise the gold when he was holding it in his hands, – Palm Sunday 2020 offers us a new opportunity to recognise the TRUE NATURE of our GOD to whom we can cry out under the deadly threat of this invisible COVID-19.
– in the name of Jesus:- HELP US NOW , LORD !
LET US PRAY:
Assist us, Merciful God, as we shout Hosanna . Grant your grace as your world struggles to contain the spread of Coronavirus. Bless the doctors and nurses and all care workers as they try to help and heal the infected. Comfort those who have lost loved ones, give strength to the fearful, protect the vulnerable and elderly and deepen the insight of those who are still not taking seriously enough the danger of this invisible Evil. We pray especially for the billions in Africa and Asia with less developed health-systems than ours. Bless the Christian Church Universal in all it’s branches, our Church of Scotland in all it’s Presbyteries and Congregations. Be with your Flock here in Portree as we put our lives and future into your Hand. Save us and keep us safe with all our loved ones, whether close to us or far away, and strengthen our faith to greet and believe in Jesus Christ who came to us in Your Name to seek and save even the lost.
Amen.
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be your name…
MAY THE BLESSING OF GOD ALMIGHTY, THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU AND REMAIN WITH YOU BOTH NOW AND FOR EVER MORE !
Sandor, Your Minister
